If it (the PPKM status of Solo city) is at Level 2, all officials, players, and VIP guests will need to undergo at least a COVID-19 antigen test.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has warned that COVID-19 cases could rise during the implementation of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games in Solo city, Central Java province, from July 30 to 6 August, 2022.

Deputy for logistics and equipment at BNPB Zaherman Muabezi said that the spike is believed to have been caused by the transmission of the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

According to the Health Ministry, as of June 23, Indonesia has recorded 143 cases of Omicron subvariants.

"Hence, according to the circular, it is required that each venue and hotel establish a health protocol task force to monitor and mitigate the transmission of COVID-19," the deputy stated at a press conference after the implementation of a coordination meeting on the preparations for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games here on Tuesday.

The 2022 ASEAN Para Games committee will wait for the directives of the Home Affairs Ministry regarding the status of public activities restriction (PPKM) enforcement in Solo city and its surrounding areas to decide the number of spectators who will be allowed to watch the event in person.

Related news: 21 provinces record increase in COVID-19 cases: ministry

The committee will also use the ministry’s directives as a reference to apply the quarantine and COVID-19 antigen test policy.

"If it (the PPKM status of Solo city) is at Level 2, all officials, players, and VIP guests will need to undergo at least a COVID-19 antigen test," Muabezi informed.

Furthermore, if the PPKM status is at Level 1, the audience will not be required to take any COVID-19 test. Still, they will have to show their third or booster vaccination certificates before entering the venue, he said.

The international sporting event is scheduled to be attended by more than two thousand athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

Indonesia is targeting to emerge as the champion of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games – to repeat the country’s success in the previous edition hosted by Malaysia in 2017.

Related news: Jakarta logs highest BA.4, BA.5 cases at 98: ministry

Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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